Bikes, Buses, BART and Breathing: California’s Richmond Rides

California’s Richmond Greenway is a vibrant open space, community hub and active transportation corridor in Richmond—a densely populated and underserved community in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently stretching 2 miles, the developing trail serves as a park and urban food garden, a safe route to multiple schools and transit stations, and an important connection to the region’s larger trail network.

Since 1997, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s (RTC’s) Western Regional Office has played an instrumental role in the initial planning and construction of the greenway—which is a favorite spot for teaching bicycling skills and a launching point for many social and educational rides, including those led by a community-based organization called Rich City Rides, led by Najari Smith. Starting in 2016, RTC teamed up with Rich City Rides to lead a program called, “Richmond Rides! Bikes, Buses, BART and Breathing!” Supported by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, our goals were to foster more biking, walking and transit use to help reduce air pollution and improve personal and community health.

Check out our 6-minute video, created by Amani Skinner of Rich City Rides and Laura Cohen of RTC, to see some of the ways we helped the community overcome barriers to bicycling as well as using bikes on transit. Most of all, we motivated people to get out on trails and have fun!

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., working to create a nationwide network of trails and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.